Spiders Extinguish Phoenix For CAA-Opening Win

Saturday, September 28

Elon, N.C.

2 p.m.

University of Richmond

3-2 , 1-0

Elon

1-4 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Richmond

Elon

09/28/2024 | Football

Box Score

Elon, N.C. – Richmond's defense recorded three takeaways that resulted in 10 points and six tackles for loss including three sacks while its offense ended six out of its 10 drives in the red zone or with a score as the Spiders passed Elon, 27-17, to open Coastal Athletic Association conference play Saturday.

With the win, Richmond moves to 3-2 (1-0) on the season while Elon drops to 1-4 (0-1).

Elon's opening possession ended in a turnover on downs thanks to a Matei Fitz and Jeremiah Grant sack, bringing Grant's season total to a nation-leading 7.5. From there, Richmond put the first points of the day on the board when Brandon Peskin connected on a 45-yard field goal— his longest as a Spider that also matched his career-long. He was good from 19 yards out in the contest as well.

A Richmond fumble and penalty gave Elon the ball back at its own 41-yard line as time winded down in the first quarter, but three plays later Richmond found the end zone for the first time of the day when Quantraill Morris-Walker intercepted Elon's quarterback and took it 55 yards for the linebackers first-ever touchdown.

Redshirt freshman CJ Fraser, who has moved into a starting role at cornerback, recorded his first career interception when an errant pass found its way to his arms after fellow redshirt freshman Jamar Hodges forced the Elon quarterback into a hurry. Fraser returned the ball 12 yards and finished the day with a team-leading nine tackles that included an assist on a tackle for loss. Wayne Galloway also tallied nine tackles and added an assist on a sack. Hodges, who was seeing his first collegiate playing experience, also came up with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble later in the game.

Quarterback Camden Coleman earned his second start in as many weeks and ran in a six-yard touchdown for his second rushing touchdown of the season. Coleman started the game 0-for-5, but went 8-for-8 after that leading up to his touchdown run. He finished the day going 15-of-22 for 203 yards.

Zach Palmer-Smith turned in his team-leading sixth touchdown of the season after he found a gap and broke loose for a 56-yard touchdown run. Palmer-Smith ended the day with 24 carries for a season-high 167 yards. Last week, Palmer-Smith turned in 156 yards and is the first Richmond player to record 100+ rushing yards in back-to-back games since Xavier Goodall in weeks four and five of the 2016 season and is the first player to tally back-to-back 150+ yard games since 2015 when Jacobi Green did it in three consecutive games during the 2015 season.

Richmond returns home to Robins Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 5, when it hosts North Carolina A&T. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.